Sathit exposes local exam fraud and proposes budget transparency

Khaosod•Politics•12d ago

Reader Briefing

MP Sathit Wongnongtoei questioned the budget committee over massive fraud in local government exams and proposed stricter financial oversight.

•Sathit Wongnongtoei raised three main corruption issues regarding local government exams during a House of Representatives meeting on September 9, 2026.
•The issues involve a 277 million baht IT budget, 90 million baht in committee meeting allowances, and 175.3 million baht in off-budget application fees.
•Sathit Wongnongtoei proposed that all local exam application fees and organizing budgets be integrated into the national budget for parliamentary scrutiny.

•On September 9, 2026, the House of Representatives met at the Parliament to consider the Annual Budget Expenditure Act for the 2027 budget year.
•The 2027 budget bill has a total value of 3.78 trillion baht and was being considered in its second and third readings.
•Sathit Wongnongtoei expressed doubt regarding the Extraordinary Committee's focus on reducing general equipment budgets while neglecting massive local exam fraud at the Department of Local Administration.
•Sathit Wongnongtoei noted that despite a high cyber security budget, there were 115 instances of hacking and digital file modification for exam fraud in 2026.
•Sathit Wongnongtoei highlighted that 438,277 applicants paid 400 baht each, totaling over 175.3 million baht in off-budget funds.
•Sathit Wongnongtoei stated that off-budget application fees have not been openly disclosed in budget reports despite a large remaining balance after paying 133 million baht to a university for exam administration.
•Sathit Wongnongtoei called for the Extraordinary Committee to clarify these issues and requested that exam fees be moved into the national budget system.
•Sathit Wongnongtoei asserted that if the Extraordinary Committee cannot provide answers, it is considered a highly disappointing performance of duty.

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Sathit Wongnongtoei

"Local exam cheating is considered a serious destruction of the merit system in the Thai civil service."

การโกงสอบท้องถิ่นถือเป็นการทำลายระบบคุณธรรมในระบบราชการไทยอย่างร้ายแรง

Sathit Wongnongtoei(สาทิตย์ วงศ์หนองเตย)

A list MP and Deputy Leader of the Democrat Party who debated the 2027 budget bill.

Democrat Party(พรรคประชาธิปัตย์)

The political party of which Sathit Wongnongtoei is a Deputy Leader.

House of Representatives(สภาผู้แทนราษฎร)ℹ️

The legislative body that met on September 9, 2026, to consider the budget bill.

Department of Local Administration(กรมส่งเสริมปกครองท้องถิ่น)

The agency accused of massive corruption and fraud regarding local government exams.

Extraordinary Committee(คณะกรรมาธิการวิสามัญ)

The committee responsible for reviewing the budget bill and questioned by Sathit Wongnongtoei regarding exam fraud.

Ministry of Interior(กระทรวงมหาดไทย)ℹ️

The ministry whose budget for military robes and general equipment was targeted for reduction by the Extraordinary Committee.

Parliament(รัฐสภา)ℹ️

The location where the House of Representatives meeting took place.

Annual Budget Expenditure Act for the 2027 Budget Year(พระราชบัญญัติงบประมาณรายจ่ายประจำปีงบประมาณ 2570)

The legislation providing a 3.78 trillion baht budget under consideration by the House of Representatives.